351: Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child with Kelley Coleman

Mom and Mind

Parenting a child with disabilities brings a host of unexpected dynamics and challenges. No one knows the ins and outs of this journey better than a parent who has fought long and hard for her own children and used that knowledge to help others. Join us to hear more from Kelley!

Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive-turned-author and advocate who draws on over a decade of parenting and advocacy experience. With an unmistakable depth of passion for this work, Kelley shares her journey with a focus on what mental health can look like through the different stages of being a parent of a child with disabilities and how she’s working to empower and support other parents. One way she offers support is through her book, Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports. This book is a fantastic resource for parents to help navigate the systems to find the right support.

Show Highlights:

• The facts about the number of children born with disabilities
• The shock most parents feel when their child is diagnosed with a disability
• Shocking statistics: 66% of dads and 94% of moms of kids with disabilities WILL experience depression and/or anxiety
• Dealing with weird reactions from others about your disabled child
• Support, at its most basic, comes down to asking, “What do you need?”
• Why Kelley refuses to apologize to others for who her disabled son is and how he behaves
• Grieving what you “thought” life would be like and acknowledging that life with a disabled child is hard
• Kelley’s book premise in a nutshell: “Caregiving is a job. There is paperwork, planning, and systems you have to figure out. Here’s the information you need.”
• Kelley’s goal to support and empower other caregivers
• The importance of connecting with other parents

Resources:

Connect with Kelley Coleman: Website, Instagram, and book (Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports)

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!